Former New Zealand spearhead Daryl Tuffey’s three-wicket haul helped local favourites Chandigarh Lions defeat Delhi Jets by eight runs in the inaugural match of Indian Cricket League’s Twenty20 tournament here on Friday night.

Man-of-the-match Tuffey gave away just 16 runs in the four overs to produce his three-wicket burst. Put into bat, Chris Cairns-led Chandigarh Lions were all out for 134 in 20 overs.

In reply, Delhi Jets, captained by Marvan Atapattu, could reach only 126 for six wickets in 20 overs.

Imran Farhat (21) and Hamish Marshall (23) gave a solid start to the Lions, while skipper Cairns (22) also scored briskly and reminded of his hey days by hitting two soaring sixes. Former South African all-rounder Andrew Hall (31) steadied the innings and remained not out.

For Jets, A Murtaza and A Sharma took three wickets each, while JP Yadav took two.

In reply, Jets suffered an early blow when their opener Taufeeq Umar was bowled out by Hall after scoring just two runs. Atapattu (29) looked in good nick but once he fell to Tuffey, the job became difficult for his side.
S Abbas Ali’s heroics down the order — unbeaten 30 runs off just 18 balls — could not save the Jets, who needed to score 15 in the last over.

Brian Lara-led Mumbai Champs will take on Inzamam-ul-Haq’s Hyderabad Heroes on Saturday.

Brief scores: Chandigarh Lions: 134 all out in 20 overs (Hall 31 n.o.; Jai P Yadav 2-26, Murtaza 3-16, A Sharma 3-16) bt Delhi Jets: 126/6 in 20 overs (Atapattu 29, S Abbas Ali 30 n.o.; Hall 2-26, Tuffey 3-16).